Disconnecting air-break switch



DISCONNECTING AIR BREAK SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 4. 1925 ATTORNEY Dec. 31, 1929. -r. F. JOHNSON. JR

DIS CONNECTING AIR BREAK SWIT CH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4. 1925 INVENTQR Tamlirwonli'rfhwoncf:

' WITNESSES ATTORNEY Dec. 31, 19 T. F. JOHNSON, JR

DISCONNECTIZNG AIR BREAK SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June INVENTOIR Fc/b/vwanr/F:

ATT'J RN EY To'7nlinsm s E s s E N W w Dec. 31,1929. 1-. F. JOHNSON. JR

DISCONNECTING AIR BREAK SWITCH Filed June 4, 1925 r 4 SheetsSheet 4 K O Q G 9% 4 illi/fig g rl/V/////////////M WITNESSES UZMfWZ X M- QWZK M.

ATTORNEY Patented 31, 1929 UNITED STATES rommsorr iron'r common, In, or arianrn, ononom mscomnc'rme Ara-3mm: swrrcn Application filed June 4, 1925. Serial No. 84,879.

This invention relates to an im roved dis connecting switch of the air reak type adapted to be used on high tension lines, and particularly to an automatically operated trip device for opening the same when a heavy overload or short circuit occurs on the line.

i The general object of the invention is to provide an air break switch which is adapted to be. operated in a gang, which is simple in its construction and eflicientin its operation,

which maybe manufactured and sold at a comparatively low price, and which may, in

a great many instances, take the place of the more expensive oil switch now generally used, thus efiecting a considerable saving in capital expenditure.

The switch herein shown, with its automatic trip, is self-contained, needing no auxiliary source of operating current. ,All

metallic parts may be cast, thus reducing the manufacturing cost to a minimum. .The operating handle may be moved in either direction to close the switch. Other features are rugged construction, a heavy pressure contact, and quick movement ofthe blade in both directions.

The switch, which constitutes the present invention, is similar in many respects to the switch disclosed in my earlier application, Serial No. 700,112, filed March 18, 1924, but

embodies various I improvements thereover.

The detailed construction of the present invention and its advantages will be more specifically explained in connection with the ac- 5 'companying drawings, which illustrate the preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a gang switch constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof, with parts broken away and shown in section.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through one of the switches and the parts associated therewith. Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3. J Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 55 60 of Figure 3.

ably mounted in Fi ure 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the hue 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 3. 1

In actual practice, the switches will usually be operated in sets of three, called a gang corresponding to the three conductors used in a three-phase alternating system. Each of these three switches is supported on a bar 10 at the top of a tower or pole of the transmission line. 1 For this purpose, three insulators 11, 12 and 13 are mountedon the bar 10. The pin 14 of. the insulator 11 is clamped to a transverse rod 15, which is journaled in a bracket 16 secured to the bar 10. The pin of as the insulator 12 is clamped in a casting 17 and is supported for rotation about a vertical axis. An arm 18 is secured to the casting 17 and extends horizontally above the bar 10, its outer end being connected to a transverse rod 19, which is similarly connected to the arms 18 which are connected to the other insulators 12. The pin 20, which supports the insulator 13, is secured in fixed relation tothe Brackets 21, 22 and 23 are clamped to the upper ends of the respective insulators 11, 12 and 13. A yoke 24 is mounted above the insulators 11 and 12, and is formed above the latter with two spaced arms 25,-the outer portions of which extend downwardly and meet in a plate or abutment 26, which rests on a boss 27 extending upwardly from the center of the bracket 22. A headed pin 28, anchored. in the boss 27, retains the pla-te 26 in its position on the bracket 22, but permits the latter to rotate with the insulator 12. The main part of the yoke 24 is supported from the insulator 11 b means hereinafter more particularly descri ed, which allows the insulator to be rocked longitudinally with the rod 15, while the yoke 24 is held against longitudinal movement by its connection with the pin 28.

A pin 29 is 'ournaled transversely of the arms 25, and t e switch blade 30 is secured in fixed relation to the pin by a set screw 31 or the like. The switch blade 30 is of rugged constructiomand its outer end is normally clamped between Laws 32, which are prefere manner disclosed in my I00 a ingtbo earlier application above referred to, and which are electrically connected by loops 33 ,to the bracket 23, the latter being provided with a lug 34 adapted to receive the end of the line conductor 35. The switch blade 30 and the bracket 23 are preferably provided with horns 36 and 37, respectively,,to prevent the formation of arcs between the switch blade and 'the jaws when the circuit is opened or closed.

The switch blade has a rearwardly extending tail 38, the bottom and sides of which are encased in a shoe 39,- pivotally mounted on the pin 29. A roller 40 normally engages the underside of the shoe 39, and positively 16 holds the tail 38 in its uppermost position with the switch blade 30 clamped between the jaws 32. The roller 40 is rotatabl supported ina fork 41 carried by the en of a rod 20 .42, which is slidably mounted in a lug 43 depending from the yoke 24, while the fork 41 rests on a roller 44 mounted in arms 45, depending from the yoke 24.

Ahood 46 is secured to the yoke 24, and

' Lu above this hood is secured a bracket 47 with upwardly projectin arms 48 between which a sleeve 49 is pivote A barrel 50 is clamped within the sleeve 49,'the rear end of which is split and secured to the barrel by a clamp- 1t 51. The sleeve 49 has a forwardly pro ectin reduced portion 52 in which a rod 53 is sli ably mounted. A head 54 is secured to the rear end of the rod 53 within the barrel 50, and an expansile coiled spring 55 a5 is housed within the barrel 50, and acts between the head 54 and the forward portion of the sleeve 49. A hood 56 covers the rod 53, and the forward end of the latter is secured to a connecting member 57 which is connected 4 to a pivot pin 58, the front end of the hood 56 50v moved downwardly, the spring 55, which is under com ression, moves the rod '53 rearwardly roc 'ng the cam 59 about its pivot 60, so that the largerportion ofthe cam is brought into engagement with the abutment 26, forc- 55 ing the blade 30 upwardly and out of engagement with the jaws 32.

In closing the switch, the insulator 12 and the bracket 22 are rotated about a, vertical axis, and a cam 61, which projects from the 80 bracket 22, engages the shoe 39 underneath the-tail 38 of the switch blade to close the latter. After effecting this movement, the cam 61 is'left in a position at one side of the switch blade, so that normally the roller 40 is the 05 only means for retaining the switch blade in cured to the rear end of the yoke 24, and an insulating block 66 is bolted to the rear face of this disk. A cylindrical casing 67 containing a solenoid is bolted to the rear face of the block 66, the coils of the solenoid being wound about an insulating sleeve 68 within which the core 69, which may be a fiber tube filled with wire,'of the solenoid is mounted. The core 69 has an adjustable threaded connection with the rear end of the rod 42, and is held in adjusted position by a lock nut 70. A wing nut 71 is connected to the rear end of the core 69 by a bolt 72, or the like, and is insulated from the casing of the solenoid by an insulating bushing 73. The core 69 is insulated from the plate 65 to which one wire of the solenoid is connected and, since the wing nut 71 is insulated from the casing 67 to which the other wire of the solenoid is connected, the solenoid will not be short-circuited by the plunger. A collar 75 is threaded to the front part of the rod 42, and a coil spring 74, under compression, acts between the collar 75 and the lug 43 depending from the yoke 24 to hold the rod 42 and roller 40 normallylin their forward positions until the current through the solenoid develops sufficient force to overcome the strength of the spring 7 4, to retract the roller 40 and release the switch blade. The forward movement of the roller is limited by acollar 76, adjustably secured to the plunger rod 42 and engageable with a bifurcated arm 77 extending upwardly from the bracket 21, and through which the rod 42 passes.

As explained above, the forward end of the yoke 24 is supported by the insulator bracket 22 in a manner which permits the rotation of said bracket, and yet prevents any movement of the yoke upwardly or downwardly, or longitudinally. The rear or main portion of the yoke 24-is supported from the insulator bracket 21 in a manner which permits said bracket and the insulator, which supports it, to rock with the transverse rod 15. The connection between the yoke 24 and the insulator bracket 21 includes a pin '7 8 extending transversely between two flanges 79 which depend from the yoke 24, and straddle a portion of the bracket 21, which is provided with a longitudinally dis osed arcuate slot 80 for receiving the pin 8.

Under normal conditions, the insulator 11 is held in the position shown in Figures 2 86 with rounded ends whic or is retracted "60, the blade is insulator 11 away indb 3, being inclined toward the insulator 2 ment of the insulator 11 in the direction of the insulator 12 is limited, however, by'a pair of rods 81, the rear ends of which extend throu arm 7%, and have nuts 82 threaded thereon a ainst which the bifurcated end of the arm 7% abuts. The front ends of the rods 81-are supported in elbows 83 having downturned' ends which are journaled on pivot pins 84 supported in ears extending from sleeves 85, which'are rigidly secured to the pivot in 29 to which the switch blade 30 is secure The shoe 39 has forwardl projecting arms h engage inclined ribs 87 formed on the sides of the cam 59, thus constituting a latch which prevents the rotation of the cam as lon as the shoe is engaged by the roller 40. enever the rollto release the blade, and the cam 59 begins to turn about the pivot the pin 29and sleeves 85, and lifting the pivot pins '84 upwardly about the the pin 29 as an axis, thereby swinging the rods 81 rearwardly, and swin ing the bracket 21 and mm the insulator 12. This results in the opening of all the other switches in the ang by reason of the connections which will now be described.

Each insulator 11 is clamped to a rod 15 as above explained. The rod 15 is ri 'dly secured to a disk coupling member 88, which, in turn, is rigidly secured to the rod '15 on which the next insulator 11'is secured. In this mannr,'all of the rods 15 and all of the insulators 11 are rigidily secured together, so as to rotate in unison. When one of the switch blades 30 is opened, therefore,

wardly. This swings the corres insulators 12.

' switch blade.

the forward ends of the arms 86 are swung upwardly, thus swinging the rods 81 rearondingine other infrom the corresponding he bracket 21 on each of these other insulators 11 engages the corresponding collar 76, thus moving the rod 42 and roller 40 to release the corresponding Thus, it will be seen that whenever one of the switch blades is automatically opened by the action of its solenoid, all of the other switch blades in the gang will be opened. I

In order that the switch blades may be opened manually whenever desired. one of the rod sections 15 has a laterally projecting arm 89 secured thereto, and a rod or pole sulator 11, and likewise all of t sulators 11, awa

90 is connected to the outer end of the arm arm. 77, the plunger impelled toward the noted that all of the arms 13,

holes in the bifurcated end of the forced upwardly, rotating 1 cation, but it is preferred to use itwin) conto open the corresponding switch :blades, it will be. p which are rigidly connected with the pins of the respective insulators 12, are connected to each other by a rod 19, so that by swinging the shaft 62, b 'means of the handle 64, all of the switcgblades are closed simultaneously.

A lug 91, adapted to receive the end of the conductor 92 is connected to the solenoid within the casing 67, and the current passes l swung b lades.

For closing the switch through the solenoid and through the switch blade 30. and jaws 32 to the conductor 35.

-Whenever an excessive overload or a short circuit occurs on the line, .it energizes the solenoid sufliciently to overcome the pressure of the spring 74 and to retract the roller 40 and release the switch blade. By loosening the lock nut 70 and rotating the core 69, by means of the wing nut 71, or by adjusting the collar on' the rod the compression on the spring 74 may be varied, so that .the current at which the switch will open may be varied as conditions demand. The collar 75 is provided with a pointer 93, which co- 0 crates with a scale 94,arranged adjacentereto, to indicate an abnormal increase in ampera e of the current passing through the solenoi i v From the foregoing description, it will be understood that all of the metallic parts of the trip mechanism may be made b casting, so that the cost of manufacture will be comgar'atively cheap. The switch may be prouced for a small roportion of the cost of an oil switch. The core of the solenoid and the lunger rod are immediatel responsive to c anges in the current, and t e switch will trip open instantaneously when the current passing through it reaches an abnormal amount.

The switch is adapted to be operated single, as well as in gangs. The automatic trip mechanism is, of course capable of general applinection with a switch and pressure jawsof the type herein described. It is obvious, however, that the invention is capable of being modified to a considerable extent without departing materially from the-principles of its operation. It is my intention, therefore, to include all such modifications within the scope of. the appended claims.

That is claimed is: 1

1; A disconnecting, air break switch for high tension transmission lines com rising,

in combination, a pivoted switch bla e, jaws with which the blade is adapted to contact, insulators supporting said aws and blade, said blade having a heel portion extending beyond its ivot, slidable means normally enaging sai heel portion to positively hold t e blade in contact with the aws, means operable by an excessive current to .retract' the first-mentioned means andrelease the blade:i

er mounted t ereon and normall enga ing said heel portion to positivel old t e blade in contact with the jaws, a so enoid having a core connected to said rod and operable by an excessive current to retract said rod and roller to release the blade and means for automatically opening said blade as soon as it is released.

3. A disconnecting, air break switch for high tension transmission lines com rismg, in combination, a pivoted switch bl e, jaws withwhich the blade is adapted to contact, insulators supportinghsaid jaws and blades, said blade having a eel portion extending beyond its pivot, slidable locking means normally said heel portion to positively hold t e lade in contact with the jaws, a solenoid operable by an excessive current and connected to retract said lockin means and release the blade, mechanism or opening said blade, and s ring actuated means for operating said mec anism as soon as the blade is released.

4. A disconnecting, air break switch for high tension transmission lines com rising, in combination, a pivoted switch bla e, jaws with which the switch blade is adapted to contact, aair of insulators supporting said blade, sai blade having a heel portion extending behind its pivot, a reciprocable rod with a roller mounted thereon and normally engaging said heel portion to positivel hold the b ads in contact with the jaws, a so enoid having a core connected to said rod and operable by an excessive current to retract the same to move the roller out of contact with said heel portion and release the blade, mechanism for opening said blade, and spring actuated means for operating said mechanism as soon as the blade is released.

5. In a switch of the character described, the combination of an insulator mounted to oscillate about a horizontal axis, a second insulator mounted to oscillate about a vertical axis. a member supported by said insulators,

V a switch blade pivotally connected to said reciprocable rod having a which t e switch blade is adapted axis, a member supported by said insulators a switch blade pivotall connected to said member, jjaws with whic the switch blade is held su stantial y stationary while either one of the insulators is oscillated, a switch blade pivotall connected to said yoke jaws with to contact, means actuated by the first-mentioned insulator, when oscillated, to open the blade, and

means actuated by said second insulator, when oscillated to close the blade.

8. In a switch of the character described,

the combination of an insulator mounted to oscillate about a horizontal axis, a second insulator mounted to oscillate about a vertical axis, aoke supported by said insulators, a switc blade pivotally connected to said yoke, jaws with which the switch blade is adapted to contact, a longitudinally dis posed member reciprocably mounted on said yoke and normall engaging the blade to positively hold it c osed and actuated by the rat-mentioned insulator, when oscillated, to release the blade, means for automatically opening the blade as soon as it is released, and means actuated by said second insulator, when oscillated, to close the blade.

9. In a switch of the character described,

the combination of an insulator mounted to rock about a horizontal axis, a second insulator mounted to oscillate about a vertical axis, a yoke sup orted by said insulators,

' reciprocably mounted in said yoke and having a roller mounted thereon which normally engages said heel portion to positively hold the blade in contact with the jaws, a solenoid having a core connected'to said rod and operable by an excessive current to retract the rod and roller and release the blade, means for automatically opening the blade as soon as. it is released, other means operable, when the first-mentioned insulator is manually oscillated, to retract said rod and roller and release the blade, and means actuated by said second insulator, when oscillated to close the blade.

10. In a switch of the character described, the combination of an insulator mounted to axis,- a .yoke supported by said insulators switch blade pivotally connected to said jaws withwhichthe switch blade is adapted arcane oscillate about a horizontal axis, a second insulator mounted to oscillate about a vertical a yoke,

to contact, means movably mounted on said yoke and normally engaging the blade to positively hold it closed, a solenoid having a core connected to said means for moving the same to release the blade, mechanism ilor opening said blade, sprin actuated means for operating said mechanism as soon as the blade is released, other means operable manually by the oscillation of the first-mentioned insulator to move the first-mentioned means for releasing the blade, and means actuated by said second insulator, when oscillated, to chose the blade.

iLIn a switch of the character described, the combination of a switch blade, a pair of jaws with which'the switch blade is normally in contact, a member on which the blade is.

pivotally supported, two insulators in supporting relation to said member, means to lock the switch blade in closed relation, and separate means automatically to open the switch when it is unlocked, one of said insulators being movable and having means to release the lock thereby permitting the switch blade to open.

12. In a switch of the character described, the combination of a switch blade, a pair of jaws with which the blade is normally in contact, a member on which the blade is povitally supported, means movably mounted on said member and normally engaging the blade to hold it positively closed, two insulators in supporting relation to said member,

. one of said insulators being oscillatable about a horizontal axis and operable, when so oscillated, to actuate. said means to release the blade, and means for automatically opening said blade as soon as it is released.

13. In a switch of the character described;

the combination of a switch blade, a pair of jaws with which the blade is normally'in contact, a member on which the blade is pivotally supported, a rod reciprocably mounted on said member and having a roller normally engaging the blade to hold the same positively in contact with the jaws, two insulators in supporting relation to said memher, one of said insulators being oscillatable about a horizontal axis, means actuated by said last-mentioned insulator, when oscillated, to retract said rod and roller and release the switch blade, and means for automatically opening said blade as soon as it is released.

14. In a switch of the character described. the combination of a switch blade, a pair of jaws with which the blade is normally in contact, a member on which the blade is pivotally sup orted, said blade havinga heel portion e nding beyond its pivot, means "latable about a horizontal axis, means actuated by said last-mentioned insulator, when oscillated, to retract the means which engages said heel portion and release the blade, mechanism for opening the blade, and spring actuated means for operating said mechanism as soon as the blade is released.

15. In a switch of the character described, the combination of a switch blade, a pair of jaws'with which the blade is pivotaiiy sup-- ported, said blade having a heel portion extending beyond its pivot, a rod supported by said yoke for reciprocation and having a relier mounted thereon and normaily engaging said heel portion to hold the blade positively in contact with the jaws, two insulators in supporting relation to said yoke, one of said insulators being oscillatable about a hori zontal axis, means actuated by said lastmentioned insulator, when osciilated, to retract said rod and roller" and reiease the switch blade, a solenoid having a core connected with said rod, said solenoid being 0 erable by an excessive current, independent y of the oscillation of the insulator, to retract said rod and roller, and spring actuated means for opening said switch blade as soon as it is released.

16. In a switch of the character described,

the combination of a plurality of switch" blades arranged in a gang, each unit of the gang including a pair of jaws with which the corresponding blade is'adapted to conthe combination of a plurality of switch 1 blades, a plurality of pairs ofjaws with which the respective blades are pivoted, pairs of insulators supporting the yokes, there being one yoke and a pair of insulators for each blade, one insulator of each pair being mounted to oscillate about a horizontal axis, all of said oscillating insulators being rigidly connected to each other, a solenoid carried by each yoke, means actuated by the solenoid, when the current is excessive, to

open the corresponding switch blade, means actuated by the opening'of the blade to oscillate the insulators which are mounted on a cooperating with said blade, means operable by the oscillation of one of said pair of insulators to open the blade, and means operable by the oscillation of the other of said pair to close the blade.

19. In a switch of the character described, thecombination of a pair ofinsulators, one of which is mounted to oscillate about a horizontal axis and the other mounted to oscillate about a vertical axis, a yoke supported by said insulators so that it will be substantially stationary when either of said insulators is oscillated about its axis, a blade pivotally mounted on said yoke, a third insulator having a pair of jaws supported thereon and cooperating with said blade, a solenoid operable by an excessive overload on the line to automatically open the switch blade, other means operable by the manual oscillation of one of said pair of insulators to open the switch blade, and means operable by the manual oscillation of the other of said pair to close the blade.

20. In a switch of the character described, the combination of two insulators, the first of which is mounted to oscillate about a horizontal axis toward or away from the second, the second being mounted to oscillate about a vertical axis, brackets secured to the respective insulators, a yoke supported by the brackets, a horizontal pin disposed transversely of the yoke, the bracket on the first insulator having an arcuate slot in which said pin rides when the insulator is oscillated, the bracket on the second insulator having a pin in alinement with its axis and extending upwardly through the yoke and rotatable therein, a switch blade pivoted to the yoke, a third insulator with jaws supported thereby, and means for moving said blade into or out of contact with said jaws.

the combination of two insulators, the first of which is mounted to oscillate about a horizontal axis toward or away from the second,

the second being mounted to oscillate about a in, a switch blade pivoted to the yoke 21. In a switch of the character described,

bracket on the second insulator having a pin in alinement with its axis and extending upwardly through the yoke and rotatable tlifrei a t ir insulator with jaws supported thereby with which the blade is normally in contact, means carried by the first insulator and operable, when the latter is manually oscillated awa from the second insulator, to open the switcl i blade, and means operable by the oscillation of the second insulator to reset the switch blade.

'22. In a switch of the character described, the combination of a plurality of unitsfeach comprising a pair of insulators, the first of which is mounted to oscillate about a horizontal axis toward or away from the second, the second being mountedto oscillate about a vertical axis, brackets secured to the respective insulators, a yoke supported by the brackets,

a horizontal pin disposed transversely of the yoke, the bracket 'on the first insulator having an arcuate slot in which said pin rides when the insulator is oscillated, the bracket on the second insulator having a pin in alinement with its axis and extending upwardly through the yoke and rotatable therein, a switch blade pivoted to the yoke, and a third insulator with jaws supported thereby with which the blade is normally in contact; said first-mentioned insulator of each unit being rigidly conected to the corresponding insulator of each of the other units, a solenoid carried by each yoke, means operable thereby whenever there is an excessive overload to open the corresponding blade, means actuated by the blade in opening to oscillate the firstmentioned insulators away from the other insulators, means operated thereby for opening the remaining blades, and means operable by the oscillation of the second insulators of each pair'to reset the blades. g

23. In a switch of the character described, the combination of a pivoted blade, jaws cooperating therewith, a movable member normally locking the blade in contact with the jaws. a cam pivoted to the blade, an abutment no i which said cam engages, means for retracting said movable member to unlock the blade, and means connected with the cam and operable as soon as the blade is unlocked to rotate said cam, bringing its thickest portion into action against said abutment to force the blade open.

24. .In a switch of the character described, the combination of a pivoted blade, jaws cooperating therewith, said blade having aheel portion extending beyond its pivot, means normally engaging said heel portion to lock the blade in contact with the jaws, means operable by an excessive current to retract the first-mentioned means and unlock the blade, a cam pivoted to the blade, an abutment with which said cam engages, and means connectthe blade,

ed the cam and operable mien the cessive current to retract the rod and roller and unlock the blade, a cam pivoted to the blade, on abutment which said cam enga es, means connected with the cam and operdble as soon as the blade is unlocked to rotate said cam, bringing its thickest portion into action against saidabutment to force said blade open,

526. In a switch 0:? the character described, a pivoted blade, jaws cooperating therewith, a movable member normally locking the blade in contact with the jaws, a cam ivoted to the blade, an abutment which sa1d cam engages, means operable by an excessive overload to retract said movable member and unlock the blade, a rod pivotally connected to one side of the cam, a spring acting on said rod to move it longitudinally and to rotate said cam w soon as the blade is unlocked, thereby bringing the thickest portion of the cam into action against said abutment to force the blade open.

27. In a switch of the character described, the combination of a pivoted blade jaws cooperating therewith, said blade havlng a heel portion extending beyond its pivot, a reciprocable rod having a roller mountedthereon and normall engaging said heel portion to lock the bla e positively in contact with the jaws, a solenoid having a. core connected to said rod and operable by an excessive overload to retract said rod and roller and unlock a cam pivoted to the blade, an abutment which said cam engages, a plunger rod pivotally connected to one side of the cam and having a head thereon, a spring engaging said head and operable as soon as the plunger rod blade is unlocked to move said longitudinallyto rotate the cam, thereby bringing the thickest portion of the cam into action against said abutment to force'the blade open.

28. In a switch of the character described, the combination of a plurality of units constituting a gang, each'unit comprising a pivoted blade, jaws cooperating therewith, reciprocable means normally engaging said blade to lock itin contact with the jaws,

means operable by an excessive overload to retract said reciprocable means and unlock the blade, a cam pivoted to the blade, an abutment which said cam engages, means connected with the'cam and operable as soon as the blade is unlocked to rotate said cam bringing m with the respective blades norma is thickest abutment to actuated by the blade of any one of theumts when opemn to unlock all of the other blades so that said lades may by their respective cams.

29. A disconnecting, high tension switch of the character described comprising, in combination, a pivoted switch blade, means normally biasing the blade to open, a sliding lock for the blade, movable cam means engageable with the lower edge of the blade also be forced open portioninto smegma said a force the blade open; and means to close the switch after the blade has been opened and remote manually operable means to move said cam means.

30. A disconnecting high tension switch the character described comprising, com bination, a pivoted switch blade, nor= mally biasing the blade to open, loomingmeans for the blade, movable means engageable with the lower edge of the blade to close theswitch after the blade has been opened and remote manually operable means to move said cam means; said cam means being freeto be moved by the blade when it is released to permit it to swing open. 31. A switch of the character described comprising, in combination, a pivoted switch blade presenting a heel portion beyond the pivot, means normally biasing the blade to swing open overload res onslve means for locking the blade in close position, movable cam means engageable beneath the heel portion of the blade to close the switch after the blade has been opened, and remote handle operating means to manually actuate said cam means; said cam means being freely movable by the switch blade when 1t 0 ns. 32. In a switch of the character described, the combination of a switch blade, a pair of jaws with which the blade is normally in contact, means pivotallysupporting said blade, releasable locking means engageable with said blade to hold it in closed position, and a pair of movable insulators associated with the switch; one of said insulators being operatively connected to said releasable locking means, remote manually operable means for moving said insulator; the other insulator having means engageable with the switch blade to reclose it andmanually operating means to move said second named -33. In a switch of the character described, a plurality of switch blades arranged in a gang, each unit of the gang including a stationary pair of jaws with which the corre sponding blade is adapted to contact, insulators having means pivotally supporting the respective blades, means connected to the respective blades normally urging them to open, solenoid operated latch means coo cratl to ho d them in closed position, cam means cooperating with each blade to reclose it, means insul'atonc'onnectingsaid cam means to operate in unison, and manual means for movin said cam means; said cam means being fr yfmovable by any one of said switch blades after it is 5 released by said 100 means. 1 In testimony that I c aim the foregoing as m Own I have hereto aflixed mysi ature. muses FORT JOHNSO Jn. 

